The TWU (Vic/Tas Branch) held a meeting this week with tipper owner driver members to discuss the recent hourly rate announcement by the Victorian State Government – a big win for the TWU that followed a long and sustained campaign.
Branch Secretary John Berger told the meeting that replacing the current load rate system with a set, minimum hourly rate would bring significant change and certainty for members in relation to income, conditions and hours.
He said all TWU tipper owner drivers should be excited by the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they now had to help shape the future of their industry in Victoria.
“The TWU will be involved in ongoing discussions with Government in relation to not only the transition from the load rate system and development of a system of hourly rates, but also a Code of Conduct to cover the industry. The feedback, ideas and information we receive from our grassroots members will form the basis of what we will tell Government and therefore, we hope, the basis of any legislation or mandate,” John said.
So, if you are interested in improving conditions in the tipper industry, in securing the best hourly rate possible and enhancing workplace safety tell your mates to join the TWU today. It is a simple equation – the more members we have, the stronger is our push. A lot of work has gone into getting us this far, lets not fall at the last hurdle.
John said he hopes the changes will finally bring an end to the toxic situation of Victorian tipper drivers being vulnerable to exploitation and the perils of significant undercutting – which includes the adoption of unsafe maintenance and driving practices just to get the next load more quickly. Over the past 18 months there have been at least five fatalities on Victorian roads, and dozens of single- and multi-vehicle accidents, involving tippers.
